An award given to the Polytechnic for excellence in Dual TVET implementation
The journey towards implementation of Dual TVET began in January 2024. The Polytechnic began by mapping industries for dual training with a proposal to dual train with these industries. The exercise culminated in the dual training sensitisation workshop for industry players held at the White Rhino Hotel on 28th February 2024. The objective of the workshop was to enlighten the industry players on the mode of implementation of dual training and their role in it. In the forum, industries pledged their support through their representatives and offered slots for trainees to undergo dual training in various courses in their organisations based on their capacity.
Technical Industry Coordinating Committees were set up consisting of members drawn from the Polytechnic trainers and in-company trainers. The immediate role of the committee was to develop the training plans in readiness for the May intake.
In May 2024, two pioneer classes: Food and Beverage Production and Service – level 5 and Automotive Mechatronics Technology – level 5 were admitted. The training has since combined learning at the Polytechnic with industrial experience and mentorship offered through in-company training at a ratio of 50:50. The aim is to train learners for the Hospitality and Automotive industries equipping them with the skills needed by the industry, which will help to alleviate the problem of unemployment among the graduates.
The May intake cohort proceeded for industrial training in September 2024 and were placed in twenty two industries, which has had benefits for all parties. First, the trainees have been exposed to technologies that are applicable in Hospitality and Automotive Engineering; this has reinforced and complemented what is offered in the Polytechnic. Secondly, it has exposed trainees to actual work conditions and giving them hands-on experience and guidance from the already qualified staff, thus increasing their chances of employability. Trainees have also acquired work ethics and learnt the culture of the organizations in the process of learning the needed skills. For the industries, they will be approached by job seekers with industry-relevant skills which will greatly cut the costs of retraining the newly employed. The Polytechnic on the other hand has taken advantage of the machines and equipment in the industries, which we may not have and whose acquisition cost is prohibitive.
The Dual TVET Implementation has involved on-boarding industries through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), or simple agreements. So far the Polytechnic has entered into training MOUs with nine organisations namely, Kenya Power and Lighting Company- Mt Kenya Region, Department of Health – County Government of Nyeri, Nokras Riverine Hotel and Spa, Esiankiki Resort, Glorious Merchants Auto Garage, King’ong’o Junction Auto Garage, P.N. Kabara Auto Garage, Greenbarbet Adventures and Karibu Outdoor Adventures. The Polytechnic continues to negotiate with other partnering organisations to formalise the engagement through an MOU.
The success of the dual training approach at the Nyeri National Polytechnic is evident in the positive feedback from trainees and industry trainers. Trainees have reported that the programme is engaging, hands-on, and practical-oriented. The industry trainers on the other hand have expressed their contentment with the commitment and diligence shown during the industry training period.
On the whole, the implementation of Dual TVET has been a success. Indeed, in the recently concluded Dual TVET mid-term review in Kisumu, the Polytechnic was awarded for excellence in the implementation of Dual TVET on 10th December 2024.
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